A hat-trick is a truly memorable occasion in any format of the game, more so in T-20s where the batsmen always seems to have the upper hand. IPL has witnessed 19 hat-tricks in the thirteen completed season. The first hat-trick was taken by L Balaji against Kings XI Punjab and the last one was a famous hat-trick by Gopal against a star-studded RCB lineup. Only Yuvraj Singh and Amit Mishra are the only players to have taken more than one hat-trick in IPL history. In this article, we will look at five forgotten hat-tricks in IPL history.
#5 Yuvraj Singh vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, May 1 2009
RCB batted first and looked set for a total in excess of 150 but Yuvraj had other ideas. Two technically sound batsmen, Kallis and Uthappa were at the crease for RCB. In the 12th overs bowled by Yuvraj Singh, Uthappa went for a slog and a top edge resulted in his dismissal.
The next delivery, which was the last ball of the over, saw Kallis being castled by a beautifully disguised arm ball. Another arm ball at the beginning of the 14th over trapped Mark Boucher in front and Yuvraj got a well-deserved hat-trick.
#4 Yuvraj Singh vs Deccan Chargers, May 17 2009
Just like the one against RCB, this hat-trick too came across the 12th and 14th overs. Kings XI Punjab had a meagre total onboard and they needed some magic to pull off an upset against eventual champions. The first wicket of Yuvraj was a bonus as Gibbs hit a short and wide delivery straight to point.
The second wicket was a dream delivery as he dragged Symonds out and the ball turned to deceive him completely. The hat-trick ball was a quicker arm ball and Rao played for the turn, only to see his stumps being disturbed.
#3 Ajit Chandila vs Pune Warriors India, 13 May 2012
In this game, Chandila ripped through the Pune Warriors top order to set up an easy victory for his team. Royals batted first and set Pune a gettable target of 170. Chandila opened the bowling for the hosts and he dismissed Jesse Ryder in just the fifth delivery of the second innings.
In the next delivery, Ganguly tried to flick the ball to the legside but lost his balance in the process. Goswami was quick to dislodge the bails and Chandila got his second. The hat-trick was completed by yet another stumping as Uthappa was tempted into a drive-by Chandila.
#2 Axar Patel vs Gujarat Lions, 01 May 2016
In this game, Gujarat Lions shot themselves in the foot repeatedly in a simple chase. Smith and Karthik were at the crease when Axar came in to bowl the 7th over. In the third ball of the over, Smith was dismissed after miscuing a slog.
An arm ball went through the defense of Karthik in the fifth ball and Bravo was dismissed the next ball with the same delivery. Axar came back to bowl the 11th over and Jadeja perished after trying a cut shot.
#1 Rohit Sharma vs Mumbai Indians, May 6 2009
Looking back now, It is quite ironic that once Rohit Sharma took a hat-trick against Mumbai Indians. Mumbai Indians were struggling to chase 146 and Rohit literally killed the game with his off-spin. Mumbai required 46 off 30 balls and Rohit picked up the wickets of Nayar and Harbhajan to give his side a great chance of winning the game. In the 18th over, he removed the well-set Jean-Paul Duminy and completed a notable but forgotten hat-trick.
